Texans report: Incumbent return man Martin faces competition

Tight ends Garrett Graham, left, the Texans' veteran at the position going into his fifth NFL season, and rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz, a third-round draft pick, mix it up at Monday's workout.

Tight ends Garrett Graham, left, the Texans' veteran at the position going into his fifth NFL season, and rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz, a third-round draft pick, mix it up at Monday's workout.

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, Freelance

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This is a 2013 photo of Keshawn Martin of the Houston Texans NFL football team. This image reflects the Houston Texans active roster as of Thursday, June 20, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

This is a 2013 photo of Keshawn Martin of the Houston Texans NFL football team. This image reflects the Houston Texans active roster as of Thursday, June 20, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Photo: Uncredited, FRE

Texans report: Incumbent return man Martin faces competition

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Keshawn Martin accounted for the bulk of the Texans' return yardage last season, but coach Bill O'Brien was not prepared Monday to anoint him as the front-runner to retain that duty this fall.

"There are many candidates for those jobs," O'Brien said. "Preseason is when we really have to get a true evaluation of the guys who are back there and who is going to return punts, who are going to be the kickoff return guys, and who will be the emergency guys if something happens to the starters."

Martin last year totaled 947 of the Texans' 1,257 yards on kickoff returns and all but 15 of their 360 punt return yards. The Texans ranked ninth last year in the NFL in average kickoff returns and 19th in punt returns, and Martin had the unit's only touchdown on an 87-yard punt return.

O'Brien said the kick and punt return rotation is "an ongoing evaluation."

Nix's ailment nothing serious

In keeping with the look-but-don't-elaborate guidelines that govern coverage of the Texans' organized team activities, coach Bill O'Brien acknowledged Monday that rookie defensive lineman Louis Nix III has "something wrong with him" of a physical nature.

Nix, the Texans' third-round draft choice from Notre Dame, had surgery last year to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Clowney, Savage in catch-up mode

After catching a break last week with a trip to Los Angeles for an NFL Players Association promotional event, Jadeveon Clowney and Tom Savage face extra work this week to catch up on what they missed.

"They're behind on what we covered last week when they weren't here," coach Bill O'Brien said. "It's not their fault. It's something they were mandated to go to, and hopefully they got a lot out of it. Now they're back, and they have to catch up."

Remedial work, O'Brien said, will include extra time on the field, extra meeting room sessions, and individual work.

Cracking down on penalties

Coaches will bring in game officials next week to monitor the Texans for penalties during practices. Houston ranked second in the NFL last year in penalty yardage, and more disciplined play is a key target for the new coaching staff.

He said bringing in game officials "will show more emphasis on playing smart and playing disciplined" and that players in OTAs are "understanding how we want to play and staying away from those things."

Cushing taking 'mental reps'

While he won't take an active role until training camp, linebacker Brian Cushing has his head in the game as a player and a teammate, coach Bill O'Brien said.

"He's getting a lot of mental reps," O'Brien said. "There's not much he can do about what ails him right now, (but) he's out there every day. He's one of the leaders of our football team."

Cushing, who missed the second half of last season with a fractured fibula and a torn lateral collateral ligament in his left leg, is "taking a lot of mental reps and also helping the younger guys," the coach said.